Arklow secure play-off place after super win
ARKLOW RFC NORTH KILDARE 34 20
LIKE the quintessential difficult second album, Arklow RFC’s under-13s carried their weight of expectation on them to follow up on their huge away victory against Mullingar last week.
They faced a North Kildare side who arrived to Arklow with a large, potentially intimidating, squad. But this Arklow side are in confident mode and were in no mood to concede defeat on their own ground.
Arklow dominated early on and were rewarded for their efforts with a try from Harry Hadden after five minutes. However, North Kildare were not about to let the home side get comfortable and responded within five minutes with a try.
As the saying goes, the next score was crucial, and Gordon Prestage dually obliged with a try three minutes later.
Prestage was now in fine form and playing with an exuberance that forced on lookers to question his lineage.
He was rewarded for his ef- forts with another try soon after and subsequently added the points. Earnest Kackas then got in an act with another try on 20 minutes. With Arklow really beginning to take control and playing confidently, Stuart Bollard Troy managed to get over just before half-time.
A resurgent North Kildare side responded in second half time with try. Complacency began to set in a little with the home side and they let North Kildare in for another two tries before quickly imposing themselves back in the game with another try from Bollard Troy to leave the final score at 34–20 to Arklow.
The win secures Arklow under-13s with a place in the playoffs. This team is now playing with a confidence that combined with their resolve and determination makes them a challenging opposition. The team welcome new additions no matter what their experience is. Contact Keith at 086 8122820.
Team: PJ Crotty; Mark Kelly; Gordon Prestage; Stuart Bollard Troy; Charlie Graham; Finn Scott; Conor Healy; Louis Byrne; Archie Hadden; Neil Hanna; Ben Clancy; Earnest Kackas; Cead Van De Vyver; Josh Robinson; Harry Hadden; Ollie Purser.